Legal Definitions - subnotation

Subnotation refers to an official endorsement, instruction, or decision written directly below or appended to a formal document, such as a petition, request, or decree, typically by an authorized official or authority figure. It serves as a direct, concise response or directive on the original document itself.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Imagine a citizen in a historical kingdom submits a formal written plea to the monarch, requesting a pardon for a minor offense. The monarch reviews the petition and, instead of issuing a separate decree, simply writes "Pardon Granted" at the bottom of the original petition document and affixes their seal. This direct, official annotation on the petition is a subnotation, signifying the monarch's decision.

• Consider a modern administrative scenario where a company files a detailed application with a regulatory agency for a special operating license. After review, the head of the agency decides to approve the application but with a specific condition. Rather than drafting a new letter, the official writes "Approved, subject to annual environmental review" directly on the application form and signs it. This written instruction added to the original document constitutes a subnotation.

• In a legal context, a lawyer might submit a formal request to a court clerk for certified copies of certain case documents. The clerk, after verifying the request, might write "Copies provided, fee paid" along with the date and their initials directly on the bottom of the lawyer's request form. This official acknowledgment and record of action on the original request is an example of a subnotation.